Our Minds Matter: Championing Self-Esteem at Mountain View
February isn’t just about Valentine’s Day. It’s also International Boost Self-Esteem Month, a meaningful moment in the school calendar to focus on confidence, resilience, and kindness towards ourselves and others. In the midst of winter’s routine and academic pressure, this month reminds students that self-worth matters just as much as grades, sports, or weekend plans. At Mountain View High School, this message is championed by the Our Minds Matter club, a student-led group dedicated to promoting mental wellness, connection, and positive self-esteem throughout the student body. Rooted in a nationwide initiative, Our Minds Matter encourages teens to look out for one another, embrace healthy habits, and create a school culture where every student feels seen, valued, and supported.
Our Minds Matter (often abbreviated OMM) was developed as part of a broader nonprofit movement committed to adolescent mental health education and support. Over the years, OMM branches have spread to schools across the country, giving students a platform to lead conversations on topics such as self-care, social connectedness, and help-seeking behaviors, all proven protective factors in teen well-being. In February, OMM’s focus aligns perfectly with International Boost Self-Esteem Month. The club creates spaces where students can reflect on what makes them unique, build confidence together, and share uplifting messages around campus. While this time of year can sometimes bring feelings of comparison or stress, the club uses the season to highlight strengths over stereotypes and growth over perfection. This isn’t about surface-level pep talks; it’s about helping students internalize a deeper sense of worth that lasts beyond the month.
Club meetings often include activities that help students identify personal strengths, practice positive self-talk, and support peers through kindness campaigns and wellness breaks. These initiatives echo the broader mission of the organization: to make mental health awareness, compassion, and self-esteem part of daily school life. The impact of these efforts goes beyond February, though. When students learn to value themselves and uplift their peers, they build a more welcoming and resilient school community. Whether through simple gestures or intentional club events, International Boost Self-Esteem Month becomes an opportunity to remind everyone that mental well-being and self-confidence are strengths worth celebrating all year long, and that in Mountain View High School, our minds truly do matter.
